My Town

From the Editor and Publisher

By Elaine Larsen

Pacifica Tribune Editor and Publisher

Posted:
12/10/2013 05:02:14 PM PST

Updated:
12/10/2013 05:02:15 PM PST

The Pacifica Tribune's "Best of Pacifica" contest is under way. Pacificans can vote for their favorites in a variety of business-related categories. Ballots are being published in the Pacifica Tribune print edition, but residents can also vote online by visiting our website: pacificatribune.com and clicking on the "Best of" link on the left side of the page. At least 25 percent of the categories must be completed for the ballot to be counted. We encourage people to vote online, but those without computer means are welcome to fill out a Tribune print ballot and hand deliver or mail to our office at 59 Bill Drake Way. Winners in each category will receive a certificate for framing and we will celebrate them at a breakfast get-together at the Tribune office and publish and post photos online. Vote for your favorites now. Deadline is Dec. 31. Winners will be featured in a Tribune in January.

Pacifica Tribune Holiday Fund

As I noted in a column in November, 'tis the season of sharing and caring. The Pacifica Tribune's collaboration with the Silicon Valley Community Foundation is in full swing. Pacificans who donate to the Holiday Fund will have their contributions matched to the largest extent possible through the SVCF funders: The Hewlett Foundation and Packard Foundation.

Advertisement

All proceeds will go toward four deserving Pacifica organizations: the Pacifica Resource Center, Pacificans Care, Pacifica Youth Services Bureau and the Pacifica Library Foundation. So that all donations are tax-deductible they must be sent directly to the Silicon Valley Community Foundation, Attn: Pacifica Tribune Holiday Fund, 2440 W. El Camino Real, Suite 300, Mountain View, CA. 94040. People can also donate online at www.siliconvalleycf.org/pt-holiday-fund. If you have questions, call (650) 450-5444.

Although times are tough, the Tribune encourages Pacificans to donate if they can to help our friends and neighbors in need and help keep our community the vibrant place it has always been. Pacifica has a reputation for being a caring community. After 26 years of living and working in this town I can safely say: No doubt about that.

Community Notepad and Fundraisers

The Pacifica Tribune is working on a new format for our Community Notepad feature and developing new ideas specifically for local fundraising events. Look for the changes as early as the first of the year.

However, for now, the Community Notepad will be published alongside a separately headed feature on fundraisers. Send all of your notepad and fundraising events to the editor at elarsen@bayareanewsgroup.com The Pacifica Tribune seeks to be the source of information for all fundraisers. Information must not exceed 75 words.

Have you heard from Patrick?

Pacifica subscribers have been asking us. They've been receiving calls from a guy named Patrick and wondered if it was legit or some scam.

It's no scam. The Pacifica Tribune is reaching out to its subscribers to ensure they are receiving proper service and, at the same time, asking for email addresses. It's part of our ongoing effort to build an email database to use "in-house" to offer our subscribers special new digital offers in the coming months. Such as an e-edition of the Pacifica Tribune which will allow our readers who already receive the print edition to go online to "flip through" the PDF pages of the actual paper -- a great added value, especially for those away from town on business or vacation who don't want to miss a single happening recorded in their local hometown newspaper.

We will also be moving toward digital breaking news e-mail blasts to subscribers for those instances like Highway 1 traffic back-ups, major grass or house fires, and other critical news that people want to know about immediately.

So when Patrick calls you, be assured he is working for the Tribune and its loyal subscribers. All email addresses will not be sold. They will remain in-house in the Tribune's own database. We are your partners and have our new and future subscribers' best interests at heart. The Pacifica Tribune has been the source of local news for more than 50 years. We will be retaining our print reputation while embarking with a greater presence on the social media game field, so that we will remain the proven, reliable source of local news people of all generations have come to know and respect.

Santa Claus is coming to town

It's that time again. Santa is looking to the Pacifica Tribune to help him gather up all the local boys and girls' Christmas wish lists. Clip and fill out our Letter to Santa form in the Tribune and mail or deliver to the Pacifica Tribune. Or email your little one's wish list to us at elarsen@bayareanewsgroup.com.

Letters to Santa will be published in the Pacifica Tribune on Dec. 18 so act fast so we can make sure to get the letters to the North Pole in time for Santa's sleigh ride around the world.

Note to parents: If your child fills it out please make sure the information is legible so that the Tribune elves can correctly transcribe it for publication in the Pacifica Tribune. Please include a phone number just in case. We want to make sure Santa gets all of the correct information so there are no disappointments on Christmas day.

New production schedule

The Pacifica Tribune is launching a new production schedule that is intended to provide more time to produce local crime, education and city news as well as features and profiles. The entire community has been our partner for some years on contributing local happenings in various arenas. This new production schedule effects everyone: in-house Tribune staff, freelancers, contributors and the general public. Freelancers and columnists' deadlines are Wednesday at 5 p.m.

All general public contributor submissions are due no later than noon Thursday prior to the following Wednesday publication. Letters to the editor are due by Friday at noon and must be no longer than 250-300 words. Guest columns are also due by Friday at noon and must not exceed 750 words. No exceptions. Production begins on Fridays and ends at the close of business Monday. The paper is sent to the printer by 10 a.m. Tuesday, which is why the earlier deadlines are required.

The only exceptions are breaking news and obituaries, but obit space reservation must be made as early as possible and we offer no guarantees. If need be, obits too late for publication can be posted online on our website.